Sinking of workboat ‘Maya’

Operational Briefing: Foundering of Workboat ‘Maya’

What Happened:

The workboat ‘Maya’ foundered west of Karmøy on 15 February 2024, following multiple collisions with its own pipe tow. The vessel was engaged in towing a 120.2-tonne, 305-meter-long pipe when a towing connection failed. In challenging weather and sea conditions, while attempting to re-establish the tow, the ‘Maya’ sustained extensive hull punctures, leading to water ingress that overwhelmed its pumping capacity. The crew successfully evacuated to another vessel without injury.

Immediate Operational Checks:

Officers on watch and those involved in towing operations must immediately review their vessel’s Safety Management System (SMS) to ensure it adequately addresses the specific risks associated with all types of towing operations. Verify that all towing equipment on board is certified, fit for purpose, and regularly inspected for wear and tear, especially the quick release, or where chafing could occur. Ensure that crews are provided with comprehensive technical specifications for all towed objects and that towing plans are detailed, specific, and fully understood by all personnel involved, moving beyond generic procedures.

Always test the emergency quick release of towing gear before and after each operation. 

Lessons Learned:

• The shipping company’s Safety Management System (SMS) failed to act as an effective safety barrier.
• Risks associated with towing operations were not adequately identified or assessed.
• Towing equipment, specifically endless lifting slings, was not fit for purpose and prone to chafing and failure.
• Crews lacked critical technical information about the towed object, hindering safe operational planning.
• The company’s SMS was not sufficiently tailored to the vessel’s specific operations and was poorly implemented on board.
• Towing procedures within the SMS were generic and did not provide sufficient practical guidance for planning and execution.

When towing goes wrong, it goes wrong quickly! All crew should be prepared to release the tow. Always keep doors and hatches closed. Maintain watertight integrity. Maintain escape hatches, water freeing arrangements and quick release controls. Monitor the tow. Stop the job.

Tags:

Foundering, Towing Operation, SMS Failure, Equipment Failure, Risk Assessment

Official Report

Read the full safety report here: Report on foundering of the workboat ‘Maya’ west of Karmøy, Norway on 15 February 2024